Along similar lines, Congressional Reps. Roscoe Bartlett [R-MD] and Steve Israel [D-NY – and see his blog also] recently inaugurated a bipartisan panel called the Defense Energy Working Group. Its goals include attracting other members of Congress to the working group, channeling funds for advanced energy initiatives in the Pentagon via federal incentives & handouts, and bringing in sectors like business and universities to collaborate. “Our reliance on foreign energy is a glaring military vulnerability,” Israel said. “It’s a fundamental national security issue.”

Former CIA chief James Woolsey, the Chair of the Pentagon’s Defense Science Board Policy Panel on DoD Energy Strategy, and an Advisory Board Member of the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), will also serve in the group. Woolsey is scheduled to address an energy security forum at the National Defense University later in 2006. For those wishing a preview, Transcripts and video of his appearance at the Pentagon’s recent Crystal City, VA conference are available.